OPENING CONFERENCE 

10:30-13:00 | The Recovery Plan and Resilience of the Blue Economy

Objective 

Discuss the potential contribution of the EU Recovery and Resilience Plans to the blue economy

Short description

The EU blue economy encompasses all industries and sectors related to oceans, seas and coasts, whether they are based directly in the marine environment (e.g., shipping, seafood, energy generation) or on land (e.g., ports, shipyards, coastal infrastructures). According to the most recent blue economy report, the traditional sectors of the blue economy provide 4.5 million direct jobs and generate over 650 billion euro in turnover. In May, the European Commission presented the communication “A new approach for a sustainable Blue Economy in the EU”. A sustainable blue economy is essential to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal and ensuring a green and inclusive recovery from the pandemic. This conference will discuss the European policies and initiatives for a sustainable blue economy transformation with examples of reforms and investments that the Member States are planning in their national resilience and recovery plans approaching the blue economy. 

Agenda

Coming soon

 

WORKSHOP

15:00-17:00 | The Atlantic dimension as a strategic cooperation area for innovation and development of marine technologies

Objective 

Connecting stakeholders around the strategic cooperation priorities to promote joint initiatives with an Atlantic dimension 

Short description

According to the EC, the sea-basin strategies are proving to be effective in bringing together a broad range of stakeholders and in contributing to channel their joint efforts in support of a sustainable blue economy. This often entails the acknowledgement of the need to rely on alliances that go beyond the EU borders not only because of the connectivity of the marine environment but also because many economic value chains are global and exposed to global competition, and EU operators do business all over the world.  

The last editions of the B2Sea have paid special attention to deepen into the coordination strategies arising and further connecting the riparian countries of the Atlantic Ocean, namely initiatives such as the Air Centre, the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance or the INVIPESCA network. 2021 is the starting year for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, aimed to create a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for nations to work together to generate the global ocean science needed to support the sustainable development of our shaded ocean.  

The session will focus on how an efficient management of the marine resources –under a broad approach (living resources, energy, etc.)- has an impact throughout other sectors and the blue economy as a whole.  

Aiming to take a step forward and harness the momentum, a twofold approach is proposed: science diplomacy and international cooperation towards the SDGs, to foster connection across the Atlantic Ocean, where a number of programmes and initiatives are flourishing and a large amount of resources are expected to be released in the coming years.

Agenda

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WORKSHOPS

10:00-11:30 | Entrepreneurship and financing of the blue innovation

Objective

Discuss the available financing instruments to help leverage blue entrepreneurship

Short description

Several financial instruments are available to support the transition towards more sustainable value chains based on the oceans, seas and coastal activities, encouraging entrepreneurship in blue innovation and blue bioeconomy. As regards private investments, agreed ocean-specific sustainability principles and standards such as the EU-sponsored Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative should be used in relevant investment decisions. This panel will present the financial and business opportunities that can help entrepreneurs, and also investors, make better use of the instruments available.

Agenda

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12:00-13:30 | Professional skills and training for future jobs in the marine economy

Objective

Present the MATES Skills Strategy for the maritime technology sector in Europe and invite attendees to provide their feedback

Short description

This session will present how skill requirements in the blue economy will likely change in the future as a result of emerging trends such as digitalisation, the rising demand for more sustainable practices and the adoption of new technologies. The qualification of the workforce to promote a sustainable maritime technology sector will demand to encompass efforts from all the organisations involved in the maritime technologies value chain: Industry, public and private employers, social partners, education and training providers and employment agencies. Framing the session, results of the MATES project will be presented, showing the steps followed to develop a skilling strategy involving the quadruple helix in the maritime technologies of Europe.  The session will also display the outcomes of a selection of pilot experiences conducted by the MATES project, and addressed to test the lines of action in different contexts.  To conclude, the final skills strategy and its recommendations will be described. It will launch a debate on the needs for reskilling and upskilling activities to move in a timely way towards a more efficient and sustainable future. Attendees will be invited to provide their feedback, as well during the session as during the following weeks. 

Agenda

Coming soon

 

15:30-17:00 | Digitalisation as a lever for the development of the marine economy

Objective

Explore the opportunities expected to arise from the European Digital Innovation Hubs for the marine economy

Short description

In May 2021 the European Commission launched the Communication (…) on a new approach for the sustainable blue economy in the EU, Transforming the EU’s Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future. This means the integration of the European Green Deal and the Recovery Plan and definitely shifting the focus from blue growth to a sustainable blue economy. In this context, the green and digital transition, become the core of the political strategies for the coming decade.  

Additionally, in 2021 the EC has launched the European Digital Innovation Hubs in Digital Europe Programme (EDIHs), an initiative aimed to provide one-stop shops that help companies dynamically respond to the digital challenges and become more competitive. EDIHs are meant to play a central role in the Digital Europe Programme, aiming to provide access to technical expertise and experimentation, as well as innovation services that are necessary for a successful digital transformation, such as financing advice or training and skills development. These hubs will have both local and European functions and the initial network of EDIHs will be established from a list of hubs designated by Member States, so there are currently developing their own national/regional strategies in this regard.  

According to the EU Blue Economy Report 2021, “digitalisation and technological innovation are transforming the marine sectors in nearly every aspect of their operations, from underwater to air equipment, including the usage of robots for different purposes, such as surveys, scientific research, oil and gas exploration, border surveillance, infrastructure inspection and farming. Global market value of the maritime robotics is forecasted to double by 2025”.  

In this context, EDIHs are expected to play a significant role to facilitate the uptake of digital technologies, especially by SMEs. 

Agenda

Coming soon

WORKSHOPS

10:00-11-30 | Green technologies and circular economy towards climate change mitigation and sustainability

Workshop sponsored by GNP-AECT through the Atlantic Area project Blue Human

Objective

Present the advances for a circular, sustainable and decarbonized blue economy in the EU and beyond

Short description

Issues such as the development of green technologies, circular economy, the preservation of coastal and marine resources as well as the ocean-climate nexus will be discussed in this conference. Marine renewables energies contribute to achieving the objectives of climate neutrality and zero pollution, the blue bioeconomy, namely algae, help to ensure sustainable food and farming systems, economic circularity and bio-based products with a limited carbon and environmental footprint, the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems such as seagrass meadows and salt marshes will reverse biodiversity loss, increase fish stocks, contribute to climate mitigation and resilience, and generate significant financial and social benefits and, lastly, the transition to a green, circular and carbon neutral EU will help in reducing pollution and in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal and a post-Covid recovery. The views of the panellists will be addressed in this regard. 

Agenda

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CONFERENCE

12:00-13:30 | Xacobeo 21-22: Navega o Camiño

Important notice: This conference will be held in Portuguese and Spanish. No translation will be available.

Agenda

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CLOSING

13:30-14:00 | Business2Sea 2021 Closing